Five hundred trees worldwide and in the Luther Garden

„Even if I knew that the world would end tomorrow, I still would plant an apple tree today!“ This saying, ascribed to Dr. Martin Luther has inspired people and Churches for hundreds of years to plant one, or many, trees. Not always an apple tree, also cherry trees, oaks or lindens have been planted. Or an acorn, like it happened on Palm Sunday, 17^th April 2011, in Valašské Meziříčí, a town in Moravia, where the Lutheran pastor and hymn writer Jiří Třanovský/Tranoscius (1592-1637) worked from 1615 to 1622. A group of around sixty guests and parishioners of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB) met for an open air worship service near the Church and planted an acorn tree. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Daniel Ženatý, the 1^st deputy of the moderator, who thanked the parish for taking over this task on behalf of the whole ECCB by planting this little tree.

The planting of the tree in the 'Luther Garden' in Wittenberg happened in the beginning of November 2011. While the Rev. Lenka Rizdonová, from the parish Prag-Střešovice, was attending an international seminar about the work of Martin Luther a tree was planted on behalf of the ECCB there.

Obviously this little tree has its own history which is closely connected to Martin Luther and the 'Luther Garden' in Wittenberg. This is an interesting project that has developed during the preparation for the Luther Jubilee 2017. When thought was given on how to involve the whole world and the ecumenical community in the celebration of the Luther jubilee a beautiful idea was born: To create a Luther Garden in Wittenberg and invite Churches from all over the world to plant trees with us as a sign of the faith, love and hope that connects all Christians regardless of borders. Five hundred trees that remind us of the 500 years that have passed since Martin Luther nailed his thesis to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

And so, an ivitation was issued to Churches world wide: Plant trees with us in the Luther Garden in Wittenberg and also plant them in your own country by your own Church. At the same time a 'twin tree' will be planted to form an international web of trees that shows we are an international web of Churches. We are Churches of different confessions which are connected to each other with mutual respect for the reformation movement that got important impulses from Martin Luther.

(See also www.luthergarten.de)

Gerhard Frey-Reininghaus/DaZ